MOFA advises Taiwanese nationals to avoid going to the destination and to be on high alert if they have to go, the China Post reported Saturday.
Its spokeswoman Anna Kao said that Taiwan’s representative office has been informed by Malaysian police authorities of the incident.
Taiwanese officials are closely monitoring the latest developments of the incident with local authorities.
Related officials have also tried to contact the families of the two nationals in Taiwan and will offer all necessary assistance to them in dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy, Kao said.
The spokeswoman, however, refused to confirm the identities of the two victims or if they are husband and wife as reported by the Malaysian media.
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Semporna kidnap: IGP says group may have Abu Sayaff links
KUALA LUMPUR: Police believe the gunmen who shot dead a Taiwanese tourist and kidnapped his wife in Pom Pom Island, Semporna, on Friday had links to terrorist group Abu Sayyaf.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said Saturday the group was notorious for ransom kidnapping but said no demands had been made for the safe return of Taiwanese national Chang An Wei, 58.
“The initial information we have is that there were eight of them.
“They were a band of opportunists that took advantage of the security void left by Filipino border authorities that had been moved to concentrate on the Haiyan disaster up north,” he said.
Khalid also did not rule out the involvement of locals in the planning of the raid, but said police were investigating if these individuals were Sabahans or Filipinos who slipped through the border.
“The Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) is still new. People have to understand that it is a very wide area of 1,400km to cover and we can’t be everywhere at once.
“These men planned a ‘hit and run’ raid with the locals which has made it hard for us to track them,” he said.
Khalid also recommended that pump boats be banned from being used in shallow waters in Eastern Sabah.
“After the Lahad Datu incident, we announced that pump boats should be illegal around shallow areas.
“This may be difficult for the locals who use it daily but there shouldn’t be any compromise in safety. The Sabah authorities should take drastic action against those who use pump boats as it is a mode of transportation used by people to slip in and out of the country,” Khalid said.
He said the Malaysian Armed Force have stepped up security over areas in Semporna, Sandakan and Tawau, as well as to comb the Eastern Sabah waters for the suspects and the victim.
“I hope that she (Chang) is not in Filipino waters. We have contacted the Filipino border authorities to search on their side.
“We are also sweeping our side as well to ensure they are not using our territory to hide the victim,” said Khalid.
On Friday, gunmen believed to be local pirates, raided Pom Pom Island and Spa Resort water villas at about 1am.
They shot and killed Taiwanese tourist, Lim Min Hsu, 57, with two bullets to the chest and abducted Chang, and fled toward Pulau Mataking close to southern Philippines.
Police have launched a massive air and sea hunt for the gunmen.
The incident has sent shockwaves through Sabahans, especially after the setting up of the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZONE) following the Feb 12 Sulu intrusion into Kg Tanduo in Lahad Datu.
Perlu ditekankan bahawa selama ini sememangnya ujud beberapa struktur keselamatan khas khusus untuk menangani isu keselamatan Sabah yang dianggap begitu mencabar dan unik. Mencabar kerana perairan terbuka sepanjang 1,400 kilometer begitu sukar untuk diawasi dan unik kerana komposisi penduduk Sabah yang mempunyai sejarah asal usul begitu menarik.
ReplyDeleteOperasi Padanan & Sipadan Island Resort atau lebih dikenali dengan nama singkatan Ops Pasir adalah salah satu struktur keselamatan yang diujudkan untuk berhadapan dengan ancaman khusus iaitu penculikan pelancong terutama sekali di pulau terpencil. Ops Pasir mula diperkenalkan pada tahun 2000 dan diuruskan oleh Markas Angkatan Bersama, Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (MAB-ATM).
ReplyDeleteBegitu juga dengan organisasi keselamatan lain seperti Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM), Agensi Penguatkuasaan Maritim Malaysia (APMM) dan Jabatan Imigresen mempunyai peranan tertentu demi menjamin keselamatan perairan Sabah.
ESSCOM ditubuhkan bukan kerana fungsi ATM, PDRM, APMM dan Imigresen tidak efektif atau untuk mengambil alih tugas tetapi sebenarnya untuk memantapkan lagi semua operasi yang dilaksanakan oleh entiti organisasi tersebut.
ReplyDeletePenggabungan usaha pihak2 berkuasa ditambah dengan teknologi moden pasti dapat memantapkan lagi pertahanan di Sabah.
DeleteKerajaan akan terus mempertingkatkan kawalan di Kawasan Keselamatan Khas Timur Sabah (Esscom) bagi menangani jenayah merentasi sempadan negara seperti kes bunuh dan culik pelancong suami isteri warga Taiwan di Pulau Pom Pom baru-baru ini.
ReplyDeleteDatuk Seri Shahidan Kassim berkata, kerajaan serius mengambil langkah sedemikian bagi memastikan pulau-pulau peranginan di negara ini terutama yang terletak bersempadan negara jiran selamat untuk dikunjungi pelancong.
ReplyDeleteKejadian yang berlaku di Pulau Pom-Pom adalah satu jenayah sempadan apabila ada pihak cuba mengambil kesempatan untuk merompak. Dakwaan pihak tidak bertanggungjawab menyatakan kejadian tersebut sebagai pencerobohan seperti kejadian di Lahad Datu sebelum ini adalah tidak benar.
ReplyDeleteKawasan berkenaan masih selamat dan kita sentiasa berwaspada dengan memperhebatkan lagi rondaan bagi membanteras jenayah rentas sempadan.
ReplyDeleteMenurut Shahidan, beliau turut meminta kerjasama semua pihak menyalurkan maklumat dengan tepat terutama di laman sosial seperti Facebook dan Twitter.
ReplyDeletePasukan keselamatan negara sentiasa meningkatkan penguatkuasaan terutama di pintu masuk sempadan. Tindakan pihak tidak bertanggungjawab menyebarkan berita palsu boleh mengundang keadaan yang tidak harmoni.
ReplyDelete"Saya berharap mereka hentikan menulis berita palsu. Dalam masa sama pusat atau unit media setiap jabatan perlu peka bagi menjawab segala tohmahan yang dilemparkan dengan segera," jelasnya.
ReplyDeletesebagai sebuah agensi penguatkuasaan dan keselamatan, Maritim Malaysia memerlukan sokongan masyarakat bagi menjamin perairan negara berada dalam keadaan selamat.
ReplyDeleteSemua anggota masyarakat digesa menjadi Sahabat Maritim untuk menyalurkan maklumat kepada anggota Maritim Malaysia dengan cepat dan tepat.Dengan cara ini tindakan pantas dapat dilakukan terutama menangani masalah jenayah, pelanggaran undang-undang dan bantuan kecemasan kepada yang memerlukan.
ReplyDeleteasddsdasd
ReplyDeleteThe brother of a Taiwanese tourist shot dead at a Pulau Pom Pom resort in Semporna, visited the victim’s remains at the mortuary here accompanied by the brother of the victim’s wife yesterday as soon as they landed at Tawau Airport.
ReplyDeletehe brother of the victim, Lim Min Hsu, 57, arrived about 3.50pm and put on a ritual vest before entering the mortuary, though he had to wait for a hospital staff to unlock the mortuary door.
ReplyDeletethere is this quiet anger and feeling of disbelief showing here and elsewhere over the killing of the Taiwanese tourist and abduction of his partner on Pulau Pom Pom in Semporna, Sabah. Somehow, the bizarre incident had got onto the conscience of many and rattled the pride of some. They realise that the nation might just not have put in enough of that condition foreign tourists desire always: security from any threat and harm from criminals.
ReplyDeleteThe incident adds another blotch to the reputation of that part of the country, impacting negatively on our image and may restrict the flow of tourist dollars into Sabah. Travellers, even locals, will just not want to go and be where they do not feel safe.
ReplyDeleteNot surprisingly, Taiwan has issued an orange-level security advisory to its citizens intending to visit the area, which will make many not want to come. Other foreign missions here are also likely to follow suit. A decline in tourist arrivals can be expected.
ReplyDeleteHow could such a killing and abduction occur after all security and preventive measures had been put in place? Have we learned nothing from the Lahad Datu incident, which revealed the ease of the the self-styled Sulu royal army to enter and plant themselves on Sabah soil? Have we then not put in all the required solutions?
ReplyDeleteWhy couldn't the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), established after the Lahad Datu incident, and with the resources it has, prevent such an incident from happening? Questions that are easier asked than answered by anyone.
ReplyDeleteNobody should doubt the commitment of the military and police, who have deployed forces and systems on the ground to dominate and secure the vulnerable areas. But all of these had not impressed nor deterred the perpetrators, who had continued to go after their target: foreign tourists.
ReplyDeleteTheir modus operandi is not unlike that of Abu Sayyaf or those linked to it, which is to kidnap or take as hostages tourists and demand money for their release. There is that need now to improve the tourists' security, especially in resorts where they stay and in places where they go.
ReplyDeleteIt has to be even closer and more visible than it had ever been before and to include the installation of more surveillance equipment and technology. In addition, it might be necessary to consider for certain resorts and boat tour operators to have armed civilian guards to complement the effort of the military and police.
ReplyDeleteOr to make it mandatory for soldiers or policemen to guard those resorts that are vulnerable to raiders coming across from seaward. Continuing the cooperation with the Philippine authorities to stamp out cross-border piracy and kidnapping menace is vital. This might even include having the option of combined force pursuits all the way to its source.
ReplyDeleteIt might take some time for this to happen although there is nothing wrong getting all to think and be ready for such an option. Somehow, the feeling is that we may have to go down this road in time to come.
ReplyDeleteAll that can be done presently is for us to increase our effort to prevent a recurrence of |this incident. But that notwithstanding, the priority for now is for everyone to pray and to work hard and smart for the release and of the Taiwanese woman.
ReplyDeleteTHE abduction of Taiwanese tourist Chang An Wei and the killing of her partner in cold blood have once again put Sabah under the international spotlight. With a history of kidnappings and killings committed there by the Abu Sayyaf, this raises concern as to how safe tourists are when they vacation on the isolated, exotic islands off the state's coast.
ReplyDeleteSince the incursion by gunmen under the orders of the self-proclaimed sultan of Sulu, which resulted in the setting up of the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom), the state has gone on high gear to promote its tourist attractions regionally and internationally, especially the small islands where marine life flourish to the delight of tourists.
ReplyDeleteThe virgin jungles of Sabah, its national parks and Mount Kinabalu have enticed thousands to visit annually, bringing much revenue into the state's coffers. But all of these grand efforts will surely have an ugly dent if security is lacking and not addressed adequately despite the authorities doing their best.
ReplyDeleteWe have no alternative but to beef up security in the state's waters because of the close proximity with neighbouring countries. Small islands on the Philippines' side are prefect places for armed groups to hide their victims before bringing them to their hideout in Jolo Island, where even the Philippine army have had a hard time pursuing the kidnappers in the past.
ReplyDeleteWith the setting up of Esscom, I hope they will consider having more army or marine police personnel with speedboats, a couple of helicopters and jet fighters at their disposal. The personnel must be equipped with the best communication equipment for speedy response.
ReplyDeleteIf we have to spend a lot for the sake of security, then we just have to spend the money. Increase sea and air surveillance along the boundary with the Philippines, especially at night, as this is the time where kidnappers are active.
ReplyDeleteThis will send a strong signal to the intruders that they will face severe consequences from our security personnel. Due to the unresolved internal conflict in southern Philippines, we will continue to see unrest and the after-effect of the conflict will likely spill over to Sabah.
ReplyDeleteI hope the Philippine government will take steps to contain its internal conflicts and cooperate with Malaysian counterparts to ensure that the waters are safe for trans-border trade to flourish and tourists from both sides to enjoy their vacations.
ReplyDeleteIf the sight of security personnel may scare tourists and resort owners, I suggest that the personnel change their uniforms to civilian clothing. That will help to "soften" their image on tourists and resort owners, thus, adding more punch to the existing cooperation between the two.
ReplyDeleteSecurity personnel in civilian clothing can also mingle with tourists without raising alarm. It is time to take decisive action that will speak of our resolve to address security inadequacies and shortcomings in Sabah, especially in the islands where tourists visit in great numbers. We owe them our commitment to ensure their safety and well-being as good hosts.
ReplyDelete